If you are considering a career in research related to the healthcare industry, then you may be wondering what a toxicologist does? As trained scientists that carry out many essential controlled studies that affect our daily lives, toxicologists conduct research to identify, track, and assess the impact of toxic materials on human or animal health as well as the environment. As more industries become more concerns with the potentially harmful effects of toxins and chemicals, the work of toxicologists is becoming increasingly important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of toxicologists is projected to grow by 13%, thus creating 13,700 new jobs by 2022. In order to determine if this is the right career fit for you, the following is a full job description of how toxicologists protect public safety.
Daily Duties for Toxicologists
Through scientific experiments to evaluate the short and long-term effects of toxic materials or radiation, toxicologists focus their daily duties on researching potential harm caused by chemicals to help establish regulations to protect the general public. From the pesticides that we put on lawns and the food we consume to the makeup we apply and the water we drink, toxicologists play a vital role in ensuring harmful chemicals do not negatively affect our health or our environment. On the typical workday, toxicologists may identify toxic substances, conduct laboratory or field experiments, analyze statistical data, assess toxicity, create safety profiles, write scientific papers, present findings, advise on the safe handling of chemicals, carry out risk analyses, and work on multidisciplinary teams with other scientists.
Different Types of Toxicologists
Across industries, toxicologists can be classified into nine basic categories based on their responsibilities in testing toxic materials. Analytical toxicologists work to identify natural or man-made poisons, clinical toxicologists test the effects of drugs on human bodies, and environmental toxicologists study impact of chemicals on living things in the environment. As the most common type, forensic toxicologists focus their expertise on toxins involved in criminal investigations with suspicious deaths. Before products are allowed on the market, industrial toxicologists conduct studies on the adverse effects on humans, while nutritional toxicologists will do similar tests on additives in food. Regulatory toxicologists evaluate the applications to control chemicals, risk assessment toxicologists research long-term exposure to toxins, and veterinary toxicologists study toxicity in relation to animals.
How to Become a Toxicologist
The first step towards becoming a toxicologist is pursuing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with extensive coursework in biology, toxicology, pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, biochemistry, human anatomy, and mathematics. While a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry-level positions as a research technician in toxicology, the majority of toxicologists will need to further their education with a master’s or doctoral degree to lead their own research studies. Some toxicologists in the pharmaceutical industry will pursue dual degree programs to earn a Ph.D. and M.D. concurrently to develop clinical experiments. Toxicologists should also become certified through the American Board of Toxicology after passing a three-part exam and having at least three years of work experience.
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Overall, toxicologists are part of a dynamic profession on the cutting-edge of technological advances to improve protection from the threats of toxic materials on humans and our surrounding environment. Now that you have an understanding of what does a toxicologist do, you can determine if pursuing this career will help you reach your goals for working in pharmaceutical companies, private research firms, government agencies, or universities.